Vacuum cleaner having a foam generator

ABSTRACT

A vacuum cleaner has a cleaning foam generating and conveying means for selectively discharging cleaning foam at the nozzle, brushing the surface to be cleaned, and sucking the dirt from the surface. An air bleed port at the nozzle controls application of foam or suction at the nozzle. Compressed air pressurizes and propels cleaning liquid from a reservoir to an air charged foam generator to generate the foam. An electric switch or a manual valve at the nozzle are included as alternate embodiments of the foam control.

United States Patent [1 1 Smith [451 Aug. 14, 1973 VACUUM CLEANER HAVINGA FOAM GENERATOR [76] Inventor: Judson L. Smith, 3714 S. Juniper St.,

Tempe, Ariz. 85281 [22] Filed: Mar. 12, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 123,566

[52] US. Cl 15/302, 15/314, 15/419,

137/205, 137/209, 261/75, 26l/DIG. 26, 401/46 (51] Int. Cl. A47k 5/14,A471 5/36 [58] Field of Search 15/50 R, 302, 314,

' [56] References Cited UNITED. STATES PATENTS 3,355,762 12/1967 Cavellet a1 15/321 2,384,458 9/1945 Dubay 15/321 UX 3,461,478 8/1969 Taylor15/302 3,591,889 7/1971 Wisner 15/322 2,333,829 1l/l943 Terry 15/3203,263,256 8/1966 Ruehmarm..... 15/50 R 1,111,768 9/1914 Spencer 15/3222,531,370 11/1950 Thompson 15/321 844,410 2/1907 Schauer 251/5 UXPrimary Examiner--Daniel Blum Attorney-Woodard, Weikart, Emhardt &Naughton 5 7] ABSTRACT A vacuum cleaner has a cleaning foam generatingand conveying means for selectively discharging cleaning foam at thenozzle, brushing the surface to be cleaned, and sucking the dirt fromthe surface. An air bleed port at the nozzle controls application offoam or suction at the nozzle. Compressed air pressurizes and propelscleaning liquid from a reservoir-to an air charged foam generator togenerate the foam. An electric switch or a manual valve at the nozzleare included as alternate embodiments of the foam control.

8 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENIED 4 SHEEIIUFB Fig. 3,

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ATTORNEYS PATENFED RUB Ilo- INVENTOR Juosozv L. 5mm! BY mam/m4 mum, 224Mf, 2 ATTORNEYS VACUUM CLEANER HAVING A FOAM GENERATOR BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally tocleaning apparatus, and more particularly to vacuum cleaning apparatushaving built-in foam or cleaning fluid applicating means.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art patents of which I amaware are as follows:

2,198,322 Schrader 2,499,8 76 Platelt 2,757,406 Decker 2,960,710McKeegan 2,996,743 Noble 3,094,152 Kenny 3,109,559 Wilbum 3,143,756Siskd 3,381,327 Kelly While the foregoing references describe varioustypes of cleaning devices, foam generators and controls, there hasremained a need for apparatus which is comparatively simple inconstruction and operation, compact, safe to use, and which lends itselfto coinoperated installations as well as to those not employing coincontrols.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Described briefly, in a typical embodiment ofthe present invention, an applicator device includes a vacuum nozzle andfoam dispenser. The vacuum nozzle communicates with a vacuum cleanerfan, while the dispenser communicates with a cleaning foam generator. Anair compressor is included to pressurize a tank of cleaning fluid,urging the fluid toward the foam generator. The compressor is alsocoupled to a bleed port in the applicator A foam control valve isoperable in response to rise of pressure in the passageway to the bleedport, upon restriction of the port, to open the valve for dispensing thecleaning foam. Similarly a pressure operated normally closed switch tothe vacuum fan drive motor is opened in response to the pressure risedue to restriction of the bleed port, to terminate vacuum operationwhilefoam is being dispensed. One electrical circuit is arranged topermit selection of either a vacuum-only operation, or the selectablevacuum-shampoo operation, depending upon activation of one or another oftwo actuators, which may be controlled by use of a coin of one value oranother. Other embodiments permit use of a manual valve or a manualswitch at the applicator instead of a bleed port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of atypical embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial diagram of the pulmbing and a portion of theelectrical circuitry employed in the typical embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective interior view of the foam flow dispenser.

FIG. 4 is an exploded cutaway view of the foam generator.

FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic diagram of the control circuitry,arranged for the option of vacuumshampoo or vacuum only" operation.

FIG. 6 shows a modification to the diagram of FIG. 2 which would beemployed if the bleed port control were omitted and a manual foam flowcontrol valve substituted for it.

FIG. 7 is still another embodiment showing the modification of FIG. 2which would result if the bleed port control were placed by anelectrical switch control for the foam dispensing.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT be appreciated uponconsideration of FIG. 2.

In FIG. 2, some of the components are drawn out of proportion to theiractual size, in order both to conserve space in the drawing and at thesame time clearly present the functional relationship of the components.In F IG. 2, vacuum generator 16 may be of conventional constructionemploying an electrical motor to establish a vacuum to which theflexible hose 112 is coupled, and discharging air at outlet 18. At theopposite end of the hose is the assembly I I having a typical, generallyrectangular brush 19 surrounding the air inlet port 21 (FIG. I). A powerdriven rotary brush might also be used on the nozzle. The intake port 21communicates with the vacuum hose 12 whereby the unit is capable ofnormal vacuum cleaner operation. Referring further to FIG. 2, an aircompressor and storage tank assembly is shown at 22 and has an outputline coupled through the check valve 23 and pressure regulator 24 to apair of T" connections 26 and27. Line 28 extends therefrom to the top ofa reservoir 29 having a cleaning fluid therein, typically in the form ofa liquid soap or detergent. A sight glass 31 is provided on thereservoir to show the level of soap therein at 32. A pressure gauge isprovided thereon at 33 and an outlet line therefrom is provided at 34.This outlet line passes through a flow controller 36 to the foamgenerator 37.

. At the T connection 27, air can move through the line 38 and flowcontrol 39 to the foam generator 37.

At the T" connection 26, compressed air can move through the line 41 andflow control 42 to the T connection 43 from which it is applicable to anoperator for the air-piloted, nonnally closed, two-way valve 44. Theconnection 43 also provides a means for providing compressed air supplythrough line 46 which extends into the interior of the vacuum hose at apoint inside the housing 13 (FIG. l) and continues inside the hose andinside the nozzle to a port 47 on the top of the nozzle. Port 47 servesas a bleed port. Although the line 46 extends through the interior ofmost of the length of the hose l2, and through the interior of thenozzle I], there is no communication between the air in line 46 and theinterior of the hose or nozzle, the only output being at the port 47. Anappropriate seal is provided around the circumference of the tube 46where it enters the vacuum hose 12 at point 48 to avoid leakage of airfrom the environment into the hose at that location.

A foam output line 64 is provided from the foam gencrator 37 through theflow control 66 to the normally closed valve 44. The foam output line 49from valve 44 enters the vacuum hose at the point 51 where it is wellsealed to avoid leakage, and extends through the length of the hose andthe nozzle assembly into the interior of a foam flow compensator 52 atthe end of the nozzle assembly. The interior of this compensator isshown in FIG. 3 where, immediately inside the mounting face 54 there isa cavity 56. At the lower margin of this cavity there is an elongatedslot 57 passing vertically downward through the lower cross member 58 ofthe compensator and opening at the underside 59 thereof. This opening isbehind the distributor flange 61. The compensator is secured to thefront end of the nozzle by a pair of screws 62 (HO. 2) received throughthe apertures 63, and a gasket may be provided at 64. Thus the foamwhich is supplied to the nozzle assembly by means yet to be described,does not communicate with the interior of the nozzle assembly at all,but rather enters only the chamber in the compensator, from which it isdischarged through the slot 57 immediately ahead of the nozzle butbehind the flange 61.

Referring further to FIG. 2, pressure from the T" connection 67 isapplied to an operator 68 for the normally closed electrical switch 69.Electrical energy from the line plug 71 is applied through a toggleswitch 72 and then conductors 73 and 74 to the two terminals of the aircompressor motor, and to one terminal of the vacuum cleaner motor andone terminal of the switch 69. When this switch is in its normallyclosed state, conductor 74 is thereby connected to the other terminal ofthe vacuum cleaner motor.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the foam generator may be made of a block ofmaterial having passages 76 and 77 drilled completely through andplugged at both ends. Similarly a passage 78 extends up from the bottomand intersects both passages 76 and 77 as indicated at 79 and 81. Afourth passage 82 enters the left-hand end, extends to a point nearpassage 78 and has an output port 83 in the rear wall of the housing.Six passages 84 drilled into the top, intercept the passageways 76, 77and 82, and all are plugged at the top.

A liquid introducing member 86 is threadedly received into the end ofthe passageway 82 and secured in place by means of the threads 87thereon. This member can be a piece of copper tubing capped at the innerend and having a plurality of orifices 88 therein for dispensing theliquid therefrom. Approximately 30 orifices approximately one-sixteenthinch in diameter is suitable.

The operation of the foam generator itself involves the introduction ofthe pressurized liquid soap from flow control 36 through the apertures88 in the introducing member 86 and thereby into the passageway 82. Atthe same time compressed air enters passageway 78 from the flow controlvalve 39 and pressurizes the passageways 76 and 77. This air is admittedto the chamber 82 from both passageways through the 12 ports resultingfrom intersection of the passages 84 with the chamber 82. Thiscombination of pressurized fluids generates a foam which is dischargedthrough the port 83 and line 64 to the flow rate control 66.

The operation of the apparatus as described thus far may begin withclosing the manually operated switch 72, which may be a simple toggleswitch. This energizes both the vacuum cleaner motor and the compressormotor, whereupon the applicator assembly can be used for simple vacuumcleaning operations. The compressor establishes air pressure in thevarious lines described above at a level which may be adjusted by themanually operable pressure regulator 24. It thus pressurizes thedetergent or soap in the reservoir 29 to a pressure level established bythe regulator 24 and registered on the gauge 33. This liquid is therebypressurized and moves into the foam generator while air pressure throughflow rate controller 39 moves into the foam generator also. The foamingresults at this point and the foam moves therefrom through thecontroller 66 to the valve 44 which is normally closed and precludesmovement of the foam from that point. Air also passes through the line41, flow rate controller 42, line 46 and port 47.

In order to discharge foam from the nozzle assembly, and morespecifically from the foam compensator slot 57, the thumb of the handholding the nozzle handle is placed over the bleed port 47. This causespressure to rise in the line 46 and this pressure, operating on thepilot for valve 44, will eventually rise to the point where it opens thevalve 44. At the same time, this pressure applied to the operator 68 forthe switch 69 will open the switch. Opening of switch 69 turns off thevacuum cleaner while opening the valve 44 admits foam to the compensatorchamber 56, and thence out the slot 57. The distributor flange 61controls the dispensed foam to urge it toward the brush l9 and thusavoid its mere piling up in front of the nozzle assembly. Therefore, asthe unit is pushed back and forth across the surface to be cleaned,there is always foam being applied to the brush, so long as the port 47is sufficiently closed to maintain sufficient pressure to keep the foamcontrol valve open. Once the thumb is removed, bleeding of air canresume, whereupon the foam control valve will close and the vacuumcleaner motor switch will also close to reinstate operation of thevacuum cleaner.

The various flow control valves 24, 36, 39 and 66, mentioned above, aremanually operable to provide the desired rates of flow for proper mixingof liquid from the soap tank and air from the compressor, and to controlthe flow from the foam generator to the nozzle while the valve 44 isopen, and also to control the rate of air flow from the compressor tothe bleed port so as to determine the amount of restriction needed toraise the pressure sufficiently to open the valve 44 and open the vacuumcleaner motor switch 69. For example, the greater the air flow to thebleed port, the quicker will be the activation of the foam valve 44 andopening of the motor switch 69 when the bleed port is closed.

Typically the slot 57 in the bottom of the foam flow compensator isapproximately equal to the length of the brush in order to betterdistribute the foam evenly over the brush. The cavity acts as a surgecontrol for the foam line and thus serves as a flow compensator.

It can readily be recognized that the present invention is very wellsuited to employment both for commercial and non-commercial work in avariety of environments. It is useful in homes, offices, automobiles andwherever a vacuum cleaner with cleaning fluid dispensing would behelpful. It is also useful where dirt removal by an air blast ratherthan vacuum would be helpful, as it will be seen that some of my claimsare not limited to the use of vacuum. A particular advantage of theconstruction described thus far is the elimination of any electricalcomponents from the housing to the applicator member. This can be aconsiderable advantage in terms of safety.

My invention readily lends itself to employment in establishments suchas do-it-yourself car wash operations. It can be used in a vacuum-onlyor in a vacuum-shampoo mode. For this purpose, the electricalarrangement of FIG. 5 is particularly useful, as it lends itself to coinoperation in response to mode selection in accordance with the monetaryvalue of the coin em ployed.

In FIG. 5, components which are the same as in FIG. 2 are provided withthe same reference numerals. instead of the single toggle switch toenergize both the vacuum cleaner motor and compressor motor, FIG. 5shows a normally open switch 91 and another normally open switch 92,each of these switches being of the airactuated type. There is alsoshown a relay 93 having an operating coil 94 connected in parallel withthe terminals of the compressor motor so that, whenever the compressormotor is energized, so is the operating coil for the relay. The bridgingcontactor 96 of the relay is normally separated from the stationarycontactors which are connected across the terminals of switch 91.

For operation. of the vacuum cleaner motor only, switch 91 is closed.Energy is thereby provided from line plug 71, through conductor 74,switch 91, and conductor 102 and the normally closed contacts of switch69 to the vacuum cleaner motor, the other terminal of which is connectedto the ground line 73.

For activation of both the compressor motor and the vacuum cleanermotor, to enable not only the vacuum cleaning operation but alsogeneration and dispensing of foam when desired, switch 92 must beclosed. When this occurs, electrical energy from the line plug 71through conductor 74 and switch 92 is applied through conductor 97 tothe one terminal of the compressor motor, the other terminal of which isreturned through conductor 73. As the compressor motor is energized, sois the relay operating coil which thereby bridges the contacts thereofand connects electrical energy from conductor 74 through the bridgingcontact of the relay and thence to conductor 92 through switch 69 to thevacuum cleaner motor. Where the switches 91 and 92 are air-actuated,switch 91 can be closed by application of air through the actuatorthereof in response to insertion of a dime, for example, in a coin meterwhich responds thereto to provide a pressure output to switch 91.Actuation of switch 92 could be employed with a similar coin meteraccepting a quartenThis is just an example.

Typically in the employment of coin operation, some timing means areused to limit the duration of operation of the equipment. Where airoperated coin metering is employed as suggested above, appropriate bleedor other means can be employed to limit the duration of application ofair to the actuators for switches 91 and 92. Various mechanical orelectrical coin metering can also be employed to operate switches suchas 91 and 92 in lieu of the air actuation therefor.

It is conceivable that, in some instances one might wish to dispensewith the vacuum bleed control of foam dispensing, and substitute apressure control system. For this purpose and referring to FIG. 6, thechanges are limited to portions of the diagram appearing to the right ofthe dashed line in FIG. 2. In this instance,

it will be apparent that the pressure line 41 from the compressor 52 isomitted as is the valve 44. A T fitting 196 is employed on the foam line49 and connected to the actuator 68. In this instance, the switch 69A isa normally open switch which is closed upon pressure rise. The bleedline 16 of FIG. 2 is omitted as is the bleed port 17, but a manualcontrol valve having an operating button 197 is employed in the foamsupply line through the nozzle. This valve 107 is operable to open orclose the line conveying the foam to the compensating chamber 66.

In the operation of this (direct manual control of foam) embodiment,foam generation is the same as previously described. However, the fullpressure is always availabie in the line 49 to the foam control valve197 in the nozzle assembly. As long as this valve is closed, fullpressure will exist and be applied to the actuator for switch 69A.Therefore, while foam is shut off from being dispensed, the vacuumcleaner motor can be energized whenever the toggle switch 72 is closed.When the button 1117 is pressed to open the foam line to the foam flowcompensator, the pressure falls in line 49 in an amount determined to alarge extent by the setting of the flow control 66 as well as the flowcontrol 36 and 39 (FIG. 2), and releases pressure from the actuator 69on switch 69A, whereupon the switch 69A opens and the vacuum cleanermotor stops.

FIG. 7 shows another possible modification. In this embodiment, anelectric switch of the normally closed type 112 is provided at thenozzle, instead of the bleed port of FlG. 2. Thus the bleed line 46 isomitted from FIG. 7 as is the pressure line 411 and the air controlledtwo-way valve M of FIG. 2. Instead a solenoid operated two-way valve 113is provided from the foam flow controller he to the foam line 49. Thisvalve is normally closed to preclude flow of foam to the nozzleassembly. instead of the air-actuated switch for the vacuum cleanermotor, the switch 112 controls it and whenever the switch 1 12 is closedin its normally closed condition and the master toggle switch 72 isclosed, the vacuum cleaner motor is energized, as is the solenoid onvalve 1 13, keeping this valve closed. Whenever the push button 1141 forswitch 112 is pushed, thus opening the switch, the vacuum cleaner motoris de-energized and the solenoid is de-energized permitting valve 113 toopen and admitting foam through line 49 to the nozzle assembly.

Either the pressure system described with reference to FIG. 6 or theelectrical system described with reference to FIG. 7 for controlling thedispensing of foam at the nozzle assembly, can be adapted to theoptional type of control discussed above with reference to FIG. 5. Alsoit should be understood that the present invention employs, to a verylarge errtent, components which are readily available and, in manyinstances, off-theshelf items.

While the invention has been disclosed and described in some detail inthe drawings and foregoing description, they are to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, as other modificationsmay readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in this art and withinthe broad scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:

1. A cleaner apparatus comprising:

an applicator,

a first fluid mover coupled to said applicator and establishing a flowof a first fluid through said applicator;

a first source of a second fluid, said first source being coupled tosaid applicator;

control means including a valve coupled between said source and aportion of said applicator and operable to admit and terminate flow ofsaid second fluid to a discharge point in said applicator;

and said control means further including means to terminate flow of saidfirst fluid through said applicator during admission of said secondfluid to said applicator;

a second source of fluid;

a bleed outlet on said applicator;

said valve having an operator coupled to a passageway from said secondsource to said bleed outlet and operable. by pressure rise in saidpassageway upon restriction of said bleed outlet, to admit flow of saidsecond fluid to said applicator.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means to terminate include:

switch means having an operator coupled to said passageway and operableby pressure rise in said passageway upon restriction of said bleedoutlet, to terminate operation of said first mover.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein:

said first fluid mover is a motor driven vacuum generator;

said first source of second fluid is a reservoir containing a cleaningliquid; and

said second source of fluid is an air compressor.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein:

said reservoir is coupled to said compressor and pressurized thereby toforce said cleaning fluid toward said valve.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 and further comprising:

foam generator means coupled between said reservoir and said valve, saidgenerator means having an input from said compressor.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said foam generator means include:

first and second generally parallel elongated chambers receivingcompressed air from said compressor and pressurized thereby;

a third elongated chamber receiving said cleaning liquid from saidreservoir;

a plurality of distributor passages providing communication between saidfirst, second and third chambers for mixing of compressed air with saidcleaning liquid to generate foam; and

an outlet from said third chamber and coupled to said valve to deliverfoam to said valve.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 and further comprising:

an elongated fitting coupled to said generator means and extending intosaid third chamber,

said fitting having a plurality of small apertures spaced along thelength thereof and introducing said cleaning liquid from said reservoirto said chamber.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 and further comprising:

flow control means coupled between said foam generator means and saidreservoir, and said compressor, and said valve.

1. A cleaner apparatus comprising: an applicator, a first fluid movercoupled to said applicator and establishing a flow of a first fluidthrough said applicator; a first source of a second fluid, said firstsource being coupled to said applicator; control means including a valvecoupled between said source and a portion of said applicator andoperable to admit and terminate flow of said second fluid to a dischargepoint in said applicator; and said control means further including meansto terminate flow of said first fluid through said applicator duringadmission of said second fluid to said applicator; a second source offluid; a bleed outlet on said applicator; said valve having an operatorcoupled to a passageway from said second source to said bleed outlet andoperable, by pressure rise in said passageway upon restriction of saidbleed outlet, to admit flow of said second fluid to said applicator. 2.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means to terminate include: switchmeans having an operator coupled to said passageway and operable bypressure rise in said passageway upon restriction of said bleed outlet,to terminate operation of said first mover.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2wherein: said first fluid mover is a motor driven vacuum generator; saidfirst source of second fluid is a reservoir containing a cleaningliquid; and said second source of fluid is an air compressor.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 3 wherein: said reservoir is coupled to saidcompressor and pressurized thereby to force said cleaning fluid towardsaid valve.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 and further comprising: foamgenerator means coupled between said reservoir and said valve, saidgenerator means having an input from said compressor.
 6. The apparatusof claim 5 wherein said foam generator means include: first and secondgenerally parallel elongated chambers receiving compressed air from saidcompressor and pressurized thereby; a third elongated chamber receivingsaid cleaning liquid from said reservoir; a plurality of distributorpassages providing communication between said first, second and thirdchambers for mixing of compressed air with said cleaning liquid togenerate foam; and an outlet from said third chamber and coupled to saidvalve to deliver foam to said valve.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 andfurther comprising: an elongated fitting coupled to said generator meansand extending into said third chamber, said fitting having a pluralityof small apertures spaced along the length thereof and introducing saidcleaning liquid from said reservoir to said chamber.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 6 and further comprising: flow control means coupled between saidfoam generator means and said reservoir, and said compressor, and saidvalve.